The murder trial of the former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local government area, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree has been re-assigned to another court.
Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iyayi Laminkara in a ruling said she would not continue with the matter following the series of petitions written against her which were already being investigated by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
She said she would assign the matter to another judge, in the the interest of justice.
Earlier, counsel to Ojukaye, Emenike Ebete had asked for an adjournment over the inability of the accused person to take his plea.
In a counter argument, State Counsel, Godwin Obla SAN referred to a section of the Criminal Procedures Law of Rivers State that empowers the court to take a not guilty plea on behalf of an indisposed accused person.
However, Justice Lamikanra in her ruling took the plea on behalf of Ojukaye Flag-Amachree and directed that the accused be remanded in prison.
Speaking with newsmen, Ebete said he was surprised that the court entered a plea of not guilty for the accused, adding that the Supreme Court had addressed the issue of granting bail to an accused whose health was at a deteriorating stage. On his part, Oblar said there was neither a medical report of illness tendered to the court on the medical condition of Ojukaye Flag Amachree nor a written bail application filed before the court.
The former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local government, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree was brought to the court unconscious on a stretcher amidst heavy security.
The matter was adjourned till November 17 for mention.
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